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, 2 Shdets--Shet'L r d GEORGE F. scHMlDT.

Improvement in Riding Saddles.

115,772, Y Patentedjune6,87i.'

AM Fflvrwumacnnmc on xr l @snel/:3 Moms] y 1 ZSh'atsmSheeZ GEORGE F.SCHMIDT improvement in Riding Saddles.

510,115,772, .Paentedlune 6,1871.

5595?' fnl/6327302 (WQ, u 'M GEORG F. SCHMIDT, OF KIEL, PRUSSIA,.ASSIGOR TO RD'ULPH SOHMIDT.

lMPROVEldENT IN RllNG-SADLES.

Specicaton forming part of Letters Patent No. 115,772, dated June 6,1871.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gaone Ii. SCHMIDT, of Kiel, in the Province ofHolstein and Kingdoin of Prussia, have invented certain Improvements inSpring-Saddles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear,

Y and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexeddrawing making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a sideelevation of my improved spring-saddle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view ofthe saddle-tree. Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the spring-bars. Figs.4 and 5 are views of the cantel and pom'mel. Fig. 6 is a side elerationwith the cover of the seat removed. Fig. 7 is a plan view of thesaddle-blanket. Fig. 8 shoivs the spiral spring and rubber plate towhich they are attached to form elastic holsters.

The same letters are used in all the gures in the designation ofidentical parts.

This invention relates to saddles of that class which embody springs intheir construction, in order that they may readily accommodatethemselves to the varying shape of the bodies of different horses, and,at the same time, form a yielding seat for the rider. My improvementconsists in combining with the saddle-tree and the saddle-blanketelastic bolsters or cushions, composed of springs, and interposedbetween the bars of the tree and the blanket, so as to form yieldingsurfaces of contact with the horses sides, which sustain thesuperincumbent weight of the rider and make the saddle easy to the horseby reason of its yielding to the movements of the muscles of the latterwhile traveling.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I willproceed to describe its construction and operation.

The tree of my improved saddle is constructed of fiat steel springs, ofthe proper Width and thickness, and it is composed of the bars A A andthe bows B and G, which are riveted or otherwise secured to the bars.The bars are about parallel to each other, the usual distance apart fromeach other, and slightly curved from front to rear to correspondapproximately with the lines of a horses sides, and the bow B, whichforms the cantel, and bour C, which constitutes the pommel, are,respectively, bent into the required shape,

substantially as shown, and so that they shall present flat surfaces tothe body of the rider. The tree is mounted upon the holsters or cushionsD D of the saddle-blanket E. The latter is made of leather, bypreference, and cut in such shape that, when it is attached to the tree,a longitudinal arched passage is formed beneath .it at E', centrallybetween the bars of the tree, which arch spans the spine ofthe horsewithout coming in contact therewith,

' and thus forms a passage through which the air may circulate to keepthe horsels back cool, as Well as the seat of the saddle.' The bolstersare composed of a series of springs, d, secured upon a plate, d2, ofelastic, hard rubber, which in turn is securely fastened upon the blanlnet, the Whole being inclosed in a receptacle formed by flaps of leather,which are stitched at one edge to the blanket and then drawn over thesprings and laced in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 2. The bars of thetree are strapped upon these holsters by straps dl all, or securedthereto in any other convenient manner. The leather seat F is suspend edbetween the cantel and pommel, to which its respective ends are buttonedor otherwise attached, after which it is covered by the ordinary coverF', which is also fastened to the cantel and pommel.

Suitable devices are formed at various points on the tree and otherparts of the saddle for the attachment of the stirrup-girt and the va-Vrions appliances which go to make up a complete cavalry-saddle. As thesedevices, however, do not constitute a part of this invention, I shallnot describe them, but simply refer to the drawing, Where they are bestseen in Fig. 1.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In combination With the spring saddle-tree lA A B C, the blanket E andspring-holsters D D' attached to the latter, substantially as set forth.

y In testimony that I claim the foregoing specitieation I have hereuntoset my hand and seal this 15th day of June, 1870.

GEORG F. SCHMIDT. [1.. s]

Witnesses:

Jorn. Brianna?, I). Cnsnfrr, Jr.

